Lost Windows Key

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Phexx

415 posts

Ultimate Geek

#127034 27-Jul-2013 19:35

Hey,
Being the genius I am, I re-installed a fresh copy of Windows 7 onto a laptop without checking the key on the bottom. Upon looking for the key I discover that it is unreadable and I cannot read it.
Here is the best pic i could get:

Is there any chance of getting a key? I can't buy another key so it's either persist with the "your copy of windows is not geniune" messages; or I could install Ubuntu. I'd rather stick with windows if possible.

Cheers.

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4431 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#867174 27-Jul-2013 19:52

I learnt that the hard way years ago. I now take photos when I buy the machine :-/

scuwp

3888 posts

Uber Geek

#867177 27-Jul-2013 19:56

Have you tried calling MS?

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

SATTV

1648 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#867179 27-Jul-2013 19:58

contact Dell for a recovery disk. Their ones activate from the BIOS SLIC so you wont need to enter the key ( or you could download one from a torrent site ) You will need to reinstall windows again :-(
If you recovered the key it would not have been the same as the bottom of your laptop
You could try calling Microsoft and they may be able to give you an activation code.
Regards
John

I know enough to be dangerous

Phexx

415 posts

Ultimate Geek

#867200 27-Jul-2013 20:24

Thanks for the help, I'll give ms a call when I get a chance. I'll have to take it as a lesson learnt.

Dairyxox

1594 posts

Uber Geek

#867201 27-Jul-2013 20:26

This is one of my pet peeves. I mean how can they make the other text "Certificate of Authenticity" so robust, but the important info, is the first to simply rub off....

I always run nirsoft produkey on these machines before reloading windows, but that opportunity has already passed you by.

My only other suggestion is: is the recovery partition still working & intact? You might be able to reload off that.

+1 to sattv's suggestion. Dells discs don't require activation on their own machines.

Phexx

415 posts

Ultimate Geek

#867202 27-Jul-2013 20:28

Dairyxox: This is one of my pet peeves. I mean how can they make the other text "Certificate of Authenticity" so robust, but the important info, is the first to simply rub off....

I alway run mailpv on these machine before reloading windows, but that opportunity has already passed you by.

My only other suggestion is: is the recovery partition still working & intact? You might be able to reload off that.

+1 to sattv's suggestion. Dells discs don't require activation on their own machines.

I didn't think of the recovery partition - it should still be there iirc. I'll give that a go.

networkn

Networkn
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#867225 27-Jul-2013 21:49

If you have a backup you should be able to get the key from an offline registry, google will help you with it.

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SATTV

1648 posts

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#867230 27-Jul-2013 22:27

networkn: If you have a backup you should be able to get the key from an offline registry, google will help you with it.

Unfortunatly that will not work, the key is different to COA sticker. If you do recover the key it will not activate on an OEM ISO.

I know enough to be dangerous

Batman

Mad Scientist
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#867238 27-Jul-2013 22:42

take another pic without using flash, try max out the contrast and try keep the contrast midline

Batman

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#867239 27-Jul-2013 22:42

so far I got _____ 4X8(B)47 28DQX __DR7 Q2TVK

Phexx

415 posts

Ultimate Geek

#867240 27-Jul-2013 22:44

I'll get another pic tomorrow without the flash and then adjust the contrast.

It's annoying that these labels can be brushed off fairly easily - my old lenovo's stick is no longer visible.

insane

3242 posts

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#867241 27-Jul-2013 22:46

Threw it into Photoshop, manipulated it a little, and looks to be:

CV8RW-4X847-28D6X-8CDB7-Q2TVK
or
CV8RW-4X84Y-28D6X-8CDB7-Q2TVK

If you had a better picture taken in RAW I might be more confident but I think I might be OK as it is.

gazbo

89 posts

Master Geek

#867243 27-Jul-2013 22:53

insane: Threw it into Photoshop, manipulated it a little, and looks to be:

CV8RW-4X847-28D6X-8CDB7-Q2TVK
or
CV8RW-4X84Y-28D6X-8CDB7-Q2TVK

give or take one or two characters :p

Carry on being awesome.

Jemahl

33 posts

Geek

#867244 27-Jul-2013 22:54

SATTV:
networkn: If you have a backup you should be able to get the key from an offline registry, google will help you with it.

Unfortunatly that will not work, the key is different to COA sticker. If you do recover the key it will not activate on an OEM ISO.

Pretty much this. If you installed from a Retail Win7 disc, this key will not work. Best bet is still to order a recovery disc, or hope your recovery partition is still intact.

Phexx

415 posts

Ultimate Geek

#867245 27-Jul-2013 22:54

insane: Threw it into Photoshop, manipulated it a little, and looks to be:

CV8RW-4X847-28D6X-8CDB7-Q2TVK
or
CV8RW-4X84Y-28D6X-8CDB7-Q2TVK

If you had a better picture taken in RAW I might be more confident but I think I might be OK as it is.

Thanks for that!
The laptop isn't actually mine so I'll get a hold of it tomorrow and can upload a raw picture if you'd like.
Cheers

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